Terminal for electric conductors



1 2 April 19 9 7 o. H. MAURER TERMINAL FOR ELECTRIC CONDUCTORS FiledApril 29. 1926 L Cei lnv'enor: YQswa/d H. Maurer Patented Apr. 19, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

vOSIWAI'JD H. MAURER, 0F FLUSHING, NEW YORK, ASSIG-NOR TO WESTERNELECTRIC COMPANY, INCORPORATED, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEWYORK.

TERMINAL FOR ELECTRIC CONDUCTORS.

Application led April 29, 1926. Serial No. 105,385.y

This invention relates to terminals for electrical conductors andparticularly to the type which serves as a connector for two r moreconductors.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved terminal which issimple in operation, of few parts, and economical to construct.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, herein shown anddescribed,

.there is provided a clamping means comprising a. stationary member orframe. and a movable member, said members having oppositely disposedclamping surfaces. The movable member is connected with the stationarymemb-er by means of a shaft and the clamping surfaces are normally vheldin the clamped position by a spring. A push rod is provided to transmitapplied pressures to the lower end of the movable member which causesthe latter to move about the shaft and thereby separate the two clampingsurfaces. The relative distances through which the lower and upperportions of the movable member move can be controlled by correctlyproportioning the distances between the pivoting point and the endportions of the movablemember.

The invention may be more clearly under- :i: stoodvby referring to thedrawing in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the device, Fig. 2 is afront view with a portion of the frame removed, and VF ig. 3 is a sideview.

In the drawing the metallic stationary member or frame 5 is secured tothe panel 6 by means of machine screws 7-7. The movable member 8,preferably of conducting material, is mounted on a shaft 9 which passesthrough the projections 10 of the frame 5.k The wire spring 11 consistsof two .spiral portions 12 positioned about the shaft 9 and the extendedportions 13 and 14 which bear respectively against the projection 15 ofth-e frame 5 and against the top of the movable member 8. In assembling,the spring 11 is inserted under tension so as to exert al pressureagainst the movable member 8. The rod 16,'which can be depressed byapplying pressure to the button 17, passes through holes in theinsulating panel 6, the top of the frame 5 and the projecting portion 15and bears against therlower portion of the movable member 8. A pin 18 isypassed through a hole in the push rod 16 so as to prevent the push rodfrom falling out when the device is inverted. The rectangular shapedopening 19 through panel 6 and the stationary 4member is adapted toreceiveV one or more conductors l2O, which are to be connected' togetheror to a conductor which' is soldered or otherwise connected to lug 22,secured to the frame 5.

VThe clamping surfaces 23 and 24 of the fra-me 5 and the movable member8, respectively, are lmurled or otherwise roughened so as to form agripping surface.

In operation, when the button 17 is depressed the rod 16 transmits apressure to the lower portion of the movable member 8, which is therebycaused to rotate about the shaft 9 and sepa-rate the gripping surface 24of the movable member 8 from the opposite-ly disposed gripping surface28 of the frame 5. The conductors 20, which are to be connected, arethen inserted through the opening 19 after which the button is released,thereby permitting the spring 13 to exert a pressure against the upperportion of the movable member 8. The conductors are thus firmly grippedbetween the surfaces 23 and 24 and are thereby elec'- trically connectedthrough the metallic frame to the lug 22.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with an apparatus mounting panel, a terminal forelectric conductors, said terminal comprising a stationary conductingmember and a movable member, said members having oppositely disposedclamping surfaces, means foiupivotally mounting said movable member uponsaid stationary member, a spring for normally holding said clampingsurfaces in engagement, means for mounting said terminal upon the backof said panel with the clamping surfaces substantially perpendicular tothe face of said panel and means passing through an opening in saidpanel and operable from the front thereof to separate said clampingsurfaces. i

2. A terminal for electric conductors, comprising a pair of conductingmembers hav-V ing oppositely disposed clamping surfaces, a spring fornormally holding said clamping surfaces in engagement and means looselyimpinging against one of said members to separate said clamping surfacesagainst the tension of said spring.

3. A terminal for electric conductors comprising a substantiallyU-shaped stationary IUD meix'iber oli sheet metall having o serratedportion nenr one end und laterally projecting portions near the otherend, :i movable L shaped member of sheet metal having :L serriitelportion neer one emi und laterally projeetii'ig portions" between theenfle thereof, e simil'. passing through :ill ot said laterallyprojecting portions to pivotolly moniitseid L-ssheped member upon seidU-slm'ped member, :mid serrated portionss cooperating to ilforiil :idemping means, und :1 spring to loree the clamping surfaces o'l' suii'lL-Shzipecl mem ber towznrl that ot' smid Ushz1pecl member.

l. A terminal for eleetrie Conductors eompiieig e stationery member oiltmetal having' o :serrated portion nem' one enil :intl projeeting;portions near the other enel, u, movable immber oit metal hn'ving' oserrated portion near one end :md projecting portions suitably distantfrom ite` other enel, seid serrziteil portions eooperzitinlgr to 'formai Chimpw ing` menne, i shaft passing through Suid project-ing' portionsto connect seid movable member to seid stationary member, :i spring toforce the serrated portion of seid movable member toward the oppositelydisposed seilrated portion oiE seid Stationary member, :L roil, :iportion ol"` Seid movable member to move swirl movable member againstthe tension ot szlifl spring, il panel upon which seid stationery memberie Supported haring en opening in alignment with the serrated porlioneoi eilid stationery :mil movable memherej nml e: Second opening throughwhich seid rod passes.

Vln Witness whereof, l hereunto subscribe my mime this 28th day ol AprilA. D., lili-2G.

